Press Release

FORT MYERS, FL - Florida Gulf Coast University invites the public, media, students, faculty and staff to participate in a state-wide community event “A Day of Dialogue” to generate discussion regarding the challenges presented from living in an ethnically diverse community at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 in the Whitaker Hall Sprint Room.

FGCU will begin the event with a special broadcast of WGCU-TV’s “In Focus” program entitled “Teaching Tolerance in Southwest Florida.” The 30-minute program is the second of a four-part special report in response to the terrorists attacks last month in America and will feature a panel discussion on the topic. Immediately following the airing, FGCU will host a live panel with input and discussion from the public. “In Focus” hosts Roy Brown and Amy Tardif will moderate.

The event, sponsored by FGCU’s Office of the President, originated with the Florida Commission on Human Relations to follow President Bush’s example of reaching out to the Arab-American and Muslim communities. The goal is to engage the people of Florida in a meaningful dialogue that will promote understanding and respect. The Commission is planning and coordinating the event for Florida and has requested assistance from Gov. Bush’s office to promote the event.

“Not only will the entire state be immersed in a discussion on this issue,” Commission Executive Director Derick Daniel said, “but the nation as well will be looking at Florida as a leader and innovator in dealing with issues of diversity and multi-culturism. Clearly this event presents an excellent opportunity to create social change in a positive public manner.”

WGCU-TV will air the show again at 10 p.m. and at 9 p.m. on Friday.

Part three of the special report “Coping with Terror” airs at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 and 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19.